Parents can only do what they think is best, with the experience they have. The learning curve for every parent is that there's a limit to how much they can shield children from.

In this quote, Matt Haig reflects on the challenges and limitations that come with parenting. He acknowledges that parents always act with the best intentions, trying to do what they think is best based on their own experience. However, the idea that “there’s a limit to how much they can shield children from” speaks to the inevitable truth that no matter how hard parents try, they cannot protect their children from every hardship, difficulty, or unpleasant aspect of life.

Haig touches on the learning curve every parent faces. As parents navigate their own growth and experiences, they come to realize that parenting involves continuous adaptation and learning. The best intentions may not always be enough, and as children grow, they will inevitably encounter challenges that cannot be avoided. Parents, despite their efforts, must come to terms with the fact that shielding children from the complexities of life isn’t always possible, and sometimes, children need to face difficulties in order to grow.

The quote also suggests that experience plays a critical role in how parents approach raising their children. While every parent may have a different approach based on their own background, Haig’s statement emphasizes that there is no perfect way to parent. There are limits to the protection parents can offer, and eventually, children must experience the world for themselves. This highlights the role of resilience and growth in both parents and children alike.

Ultimately, Matt Haig’s quote speaks to the complexity of parenting and the balance between protection and independence. It acknowledges that while parents may try to shield their children from harm, part of the parenting journey is accepting that some level of exposure to life's difficulties is necessary for children’s development. The idea is not to protect children from everything but to guide them as they learn to navigate the world on their own.